Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu Bali

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple located is located northwest of the other two temples in a village of Sebatu, 40 kilometers from Denpasar or only 20 minutes drive north of Ubud. Sebatu Village is also known for the creativity of the villagers in creating woodcarving and handicraft as seen in all the shop along the village.

This temple was built in homage to the God of preserver (Wisnu), who rules over water, and here one finds a number of natural spring and waterspouts. The Balinese believe that water is one of the forces of life. The etymology of Gunung Kawi means a fabricated mountain. It lies west of Sebatu village, which is elovated and its name means slipping on a stone.

The temple’s stones are aged by time, under the rain and sun, and some even covered with fungus. Even the sign on the temple that says “Pura Gunung Kawi”, it looks so old and not taken care very well. Many statues can be seen at Gunung Kawi Temple. Some also have yellow or orange scarf-like material, some don’t. Even though we could tell they were statues, but it was somewhat hard to really see the statues as the conditions are not that good. Some of the statues are still nice though but I think they are made with wood. They are still colored gold, red, and bright, unlike the stone-made ones. The condition at Gunung Kawi Temple is totally a shame because the temple was a historical (as we were informed) place and really attract many domestic and international tourists.

All villagers were frighteningly because of the appearance of Bad king Maya Denawa, and ran away from the village at that time. God Vishnu of water saw confusion of people on Sebatu village. People who ran away from this village were neither the eaten one nor the drinking water, and were embarrassed very much. Then, Vishnu gave the spring water for them. And, the souls including Vishnu challenged Maya Denawa to a fight. The bad king Maya Denawa to whom the forces had already failed was driven to Petanu river, and killed. The villagers built a small shrine in the place in a present temple for savior Vishnu. It is said that this is a starting point of Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu.

Both the soldiers of Mayadenawa as well as the local villagers fled in their fear (the former of the gods, the latter of the evil King) and slipped on stones. Seeing that local people were innocent and sin free, the God Wisnu gave a source of life (holy water). As a way of showing their gratitude, they built this temple to the Wisnu’s God, which has much water, waterspout for bathing as well as a special pool of holy water.

A natural spring flows from the heart of the temple into a pool so clear that you can count the scales on the huge goldfish ghosting around the opulent island shrine at its center. Holy water is requested at an adjacent small shrine while nearby, and still within the temple walls, are the open-air public baths. The visitors are welcome to explore the other courtyards where the shrines and pavilions are lovingly maintained by the people of nearby Sebatu.